Every so often, we'll apply the word "operatic" to a rock vocalist. That's rarely so true as in the case of the new Flowers of Hell EP, since the Toronto group have unveiled a new five-song collection that was made in collaboration with opera soprano Danie Friesen.
The EP is punnily titled Aria 51 (an aria is an opera term for a solo vocal piece), and it will be out on September 11 through Optical Sounds. A press release explains that the mini-release combines effects-laden singing from Friesen with loud guitars and orchestral arrangements.
Flowers of Hell leader Greg Jarvis explained that this project has been in the works for some time. He said in a statement, "Fusing classical with the more experimental end of shoegaze music has always been our ambition and this EP, along with the upcoming symphony, are something we've been working on in our downtime for the past six years."
The EP is just a teaser for a four-part psych-classical opus called Symphony No.1, which is due out in 2016. This will be the band's first full-length since 2012's Odes.
For a taste of what Aria 51 sounds like, listen to two dramatic cuts — the overture-like "Aria 51" and the closing "Aria 51 (Choral Reprise)" — below.
Also below, scroll past Aria 51's tracklist to see the group's tour schedule. Most of their upcoming shows are in Europe, but they also have a couple of Toronto appearances in the coming weeks.
Aria 51:
1. Aria 51
2. Warmth of a Christmas Chill
3. The Void
4. Wall of Oblivion
5. Aria 51 (Choral Reprise)
Tour dates:
09/05 Toronto, ON - Yonge-Dundas Square (INTERsection Festival)
09/13 London, UK - Servant Jazz Quarters *
09/15 Paris, France - L'International
09/16 Milan, Italy - TBA
09/17 Perugia, Italy - Giardini del Frontone
09/18 Brescia, Italy - Lio Bar
09/19 Trento, Italy - Centro Sociale Bruno
09/20 Dueville, Italy - Via Roma 17
09/22 Brighton, UK - TBA
09/23 Hull, UK - Adelphi Club
09/24 Dublin, Ireland - The Wiley Fox
09/26 Liverpool, UK - Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia
10/03 Miami, FL -American Synesthesia Association Conference
10/08 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace (Ronnie Morris Recovery benefit)
* with Sterling Roswell
The EP is punnily titled Aria 51 (an aria is an opera term for a solo vocal piece), and it will be out on September 11 through Optical Sounds. A press release explains that the mini-release combines effects-laden singing from Friesen with loud guitars and orchestral arrangements.
Flowers of Hell leader Greg Jarvis explained that this project has been in the works for some time. He said in a statement, "Fusing classical with the more experimental end of shoegaze music has always been our ambition and this EP, along with the upcoming symphony, are something we've been working on in our downtime for the past six years."
The EP is just a teaser for a four-part psych-classical opus called Symphony No.1, which is due out in 2016. This will be the band's first full-length since 2012's Odes.
For a taste of what Aria 51 sounds like, listen to two dramatic cuts — the overture-like "Aria 51" and the closing "Aria 51 (Choral Reprise)" — below.
Also below, scroll past Aria 51's tracklist to see the group's tour schedule. Most of their upcoming shows are in Europe, but they also have a couple of Toronto appearances in the coming weeks.
Aria 51:
1. Aria 51
2. Warmth of a Christmas Chill
3. The Void
4. Wall of Oblivion
5. Aria 51 (Choral Reprise)
Tour dates:
09/05 Toronto, ON - Yonge-Dundas Square (INTERsection Festival)
09/13 London, UK - Servant Jazz Quarters *
09/15 Paris, France - L'International
09/16 Milan, Italy - TBA
09/17 Perugia, Italy - Giardini del Frontone
09/18 Brescia, Italy - Lio Bar
09/19 Trento, Italy - Centro Sociale Bruno
09/20 Dueville, Italy - Via Roma 17
09/22 Brighton, UK - TBA
09/23 Hull, UK - Adelphi Club
09/24 Dublin, Ireland - The Wiley Fox
09/26 Liverpool, UK - Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia
10/03 Miami, FL -American Synesthesia Association Conference
10/08 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace (Ronnie Morris Recovery benefit)
* with Sterling Roswell